Chapter 5 Awkward Dinner

"Tell me, Cassian, when did you arrive in Canada?" Sara asked, breaking the silence that was in the dining room. Just the soft sound of the fork clattering against the plate.

"I was surprised when I received your call this morning," she added.

Lalissa had her gaze fixed on the food, barely eating. Her heart slammed against her chest, and she feared her mom would hear it.

The first time she adjusted her position, her eyes left the food and crossed with Cassian.

He had had his eyes on her since the beginning of the dinner. It was easy for her to notice, since he was sitting across the table—across from her. She had to gulp down nothing before burying her gaze back in the food.

"I got to the hotel yesterday evening," Cassian replied, glancing at Sara before lifting a fork to his mouth.

Lalissa's finger froze as the room grew hot. Sweat appeared on her hairline, and she could say this was the most uncomfortable event of her life.

He had traveled all the way to see her mother, and she had to walk into his room, and—

She sighed, setting her fork aside. "Mom," she mumbled.

"Yes, sweetheart," Sara answered, her face radiating with a smile.

She stole a glance at Cassian.

His eyes burned through her skin, just like the first time they had met, and she hated how hot it made her body react.

"Can we go back home?" she asked, picking her words.

She had the biggest fear that she would spill something she didn't want to say.

The smile on Sara's face dropped as she placed her hand on Lalissa's shoulder.

"Why?" Her voice was laced with concern as she faced Cassian. "You don't like your new father?"

"Mom, he isn't my father," Lalissa said. "Not yet," she mumbled, looking at Cassian. "...I just—I'm not feeling too well."

Sara raised her brow. "What's wrong? You were okay when we left the house."

"I know. Just that..." she paused, her brain seeming to have clicked with an idea. "Our house is far from here. It will probably take us an hour or two to get back. Moreover, the more we stay here, the riskier it is for us."

Cassian's fork dropped on the plate... a little too loud, so it caught both mother and daughter's attention.

"There are more than enough rooms in this house, Lalissa."

Holy hell!

Lalissa's thighs pressed together. The way her name rolled out of his lips. Smooth. Like he had been wanting to taste it for a long time, and heck, it sounded so good. So amazing that Lalissa hated herself for wishing he'd say her name again.

No, Lissa. Control yourself.

"Yeah, sweetie," Sara agreed. "Cassian is right. I wouldn't endanger our lives like that. Didn't you wonder why I agreed to the dinner? Because we'll spend the night here. It's part of the introduction. I want both of you to know each other and get along before the wedding takes place."

"Mom," Lalissa cut her off. "This marriage won't be possible. It can't happen."

"Why?" Sara asked, her brows thinning with slight confusion.

"Yeah, Lissa. Why?" Cassian repeated, his eyes not moving away from Lalissa's.

Lalissa's heart dropped at the way her name sounded on his lips again.

First, it was the full form, and now—she didn't know which one sounded better in his mouth. Full or shortened form? Either way, both had this feeling that made her mind reel back to that night.

The dirty whispers. The low, beastly growls. The orgasm-feeling groans.

Gosh, Lissa. What're you thinking?

Quickly, she flashed a smile that barely reached her eyes. "...I didn't mean it that way. But, Mom, don't you think he's too young for you? You're older than him."

"Oh, that," Sara chuckled, turning to Cassian as she smiled affectionately with her eyes. "When it comes to love, sweetheart," she placed her hand on top of Cassian's, "age shouldn't be a barrier, right, baby?"

Cassian used his other hand and placed it on top of hers. "Right."

His eyes didn't leave Lalissa as he replied, and Lalissa... well, had to look away.

Not jealousy. Never.

Confusion. Uncomfortable. Wishing the ground would just open and swallow her. His eyes had it all, and the last one she wouldn't admit no matter what.

"I think that should be the last interruption. Let's have dinner. Like a normal family." Cassian's voice held that soft underlying authority in it as he spoke, and they all had to comply—eating in silence.

Sara smiled like she had hit some jackpot. Cassian's gaze pierced deep into her, and her—her mind kept racing. Somersaulting. Flipping back and forth as she thought of ways to escape the awkward situation she found herself in, and also to stop her mind from traveling to that night.

--

[NIGHT, 2 PM]

The soft steps of Lalissa's bare feet slapped on the kitchen tiles as she held the counter, panting lowly.

She had to wait for her mom to fall asleep after spending so much time on her phone. First, her newfound husband. Second, office work.

Facing her left, a jug of water and a glass were there, waiting for her as if they knew she'd come for water.

Of course, she had to.

This night had been nothing but her battling inwardly. Trying to escape the reality that presented itself before her.

This wasn't the type of life she had planned for. A simple life was what she wanted. Easy to navigate and scale through. Not complicated shit. A life she had to question some of her life choices.

Fearing her heart would finally come out of its cage, she grabbed the cup and helped herself to some water.

The wiggling sound of the water into the cup blended with the AC that hummed softly in the kitchen.

The cabinet light reflected on her face as she gulped the water down.

Keeping the cup with a low slam, her fingers curled around the counter edge as the memory of their introduction flashed in her mind.

When they shook each other's hand, the familiarity was there. His touch—she could feel it exactly the same way she had felt it in that hotel room.

Then, when he pronounced her name, it sounded like everybody who had ever called "Lalissa" had always pronounced it wrongly.

Slowly, her lids came in contact with each other, the vivid picture of that night replaying in her head.

Her toes curled a bit, thighs rubbing against each other as she remembered his lips around her nipples.

Her skin shuddered, shivers running through her as her nipples clenched beneath her dress.

Her toes curled harder, the sinful whisper of "little one" echoing in her head.

"Lalissa, meet Mr. Reid, your soon-to-be stepfather."

Her eyes flashed open, breath coming in low hitches.

The steps of someone coming into the kitchen alerted her.

She spun around, eyes lifting a bit as he walked into the kitchen in a black tight tee and pants.

The silver shadow reflected his face, capturing every essential feature the normal lights couldn't see.

Her eyes traveled down to his chest, but she was quick to look away to avoid getting caught.

He stood before her, and she was quick to take two steps backward.

She was looking at him first, her heart still thudding slowly from the little flashbacks she just had.

Silently, he looked at her, then his lips twitched as he came close, leaving barely any space between them.

"Life is filled with surprises," he said, lips twitching more. "Don't you think so, little one?"